Netflix cuts quality to reduce internet strain

Entertainment streaming giant Netflix is reducing the quality of its videos on its service across Europe for a month to cut the strain on internet service providers. Demand has steadily increased across the continent because people in large parts of Europe are self-isolating in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and the use of the internet has soared as people work from home, do not go out, and try and stay in contact with family and friends. Communications company Vodafone reported a 50% rise in internet use across Europe last week, while social media platform Facebook said there were 'big surges' in demand - outpacing the annual New Year’s Eve peak.

Netflix said picture quality was governed by watching videos on a standard channel, in high-definition or HD, or the ultra-high definition 4K - a second factor affecting resolution was ‘bitrate’, which influences how clear and smooth footage appears on televisions - higher bitrates means the picture is less ‘blocky’ or pixelated but uses more data.

And Netflix is reducing its streaming bitrates to cut data; but customers paying for the 4K movies as part of a package will still be able to watch the ultra-high definition programme.

The move came after discussions between Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings and Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market. Mr Breton has invited consumers to switch entertainment channels to standard definition to save data use an hour of watching a standard programme uses about 1GB of data; HD can use up to 3GB for the same time. And the commissioner praised the swift action of Netflix; he said the 'very prompt' move would help 'preserve the smooth running of the internet during the Covid-19 crisis'.